RicelandMeadows

July 9, 2014

We attended Horse Progress Days in Holmes county Ohio, over the fourth of July holiday. It was a good time as expected. Horses are used to work farm land with various pieces of machinery. Much of the equipment is “tractor” equipment. They even had a ten foot rototiller hooked behind a power cart, pulled by horses and driven by a powerful motor.

There were small equipment manufacturers, vendors of every description for horses and equipment and many other items of interest for the small farmer. They had logging and tree felling demonstrations, even a barn raising from wood sawed on site. The event was attended by many folks from all walks of life and several foreign countries. The crowd was large, but dispersed nicely. The event was well planned, well laid out and well done in every way.

Equipment of many types was driven and field trialed. Seeing really is believing! Horses pulled mowers, haybines, rakes and tedders. They also baled, wrapped and handled hay with a variety of equipment from many manufacturers… and that was just the haying demonstration part!!

A highlight of the show for me, is when twelve horses hooked to a four bottom gang plow, went to the field and plowed. It is an awesome display of horsepower and one that I will never duplicate. I also like all the innovative thinking that is on display and for sale. It is a great event for small farmers, especially those of us who farm with draft animals.

There was plenty for the women folk to see and do as well. Seminars on all sorts of topics from home canning to home remedies. Candle and soap making and other home building skills were discussed and displayed.

The food was great too…I mean where else can you get homemade ice cream made by a hit and miss engine or churned by a horse drawn sweep. Fry pies, soft pretzels and cheeseburgers, along with veal, sausage and even salads, could be found on the grounds…. no place to be dieting, I can tell you that!

Next year’s Horse Progress Days will be held in southern Indiana. If this sounds like something you’d like to see, make plans now to attend, you will not be disappointed!